ILF Review Update

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned independent consultants Melanie Henwood and Bob Hudson to carry out a review of the Independent Living Fund. This review will look at the ILF alongside other recent policy developments including the emergence of Direct Payments, the In-Control pilots, and the new models of Individual Budgets.

The Review will consider whether the way in which the ILF currently operates is the best way of organising the service, and if so, how it can be improved on.

A report making recommendations is expected to be published in December 2006.

The DWP are consulting with people through a range of different approaches.

1. A Call for Evidence - which is being sent to key groups (i.e. disability organisations, local authorities, other government organisations, plus ourselves). The consultants are asking 4 key questions:

What do you believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of the ILFs?

How do you see the ILFs relating to other "cash for care" models (notably Direct Payments and Individual Budgets)?

Are current arrangements for delivering the ILFs best suited to its purpose within a changing policy context?

What changes, if any, do you believe are required in the way in which the ILFs operate?

(The reference to "cash for care" is a phrase used by the consultants to summarise the type of monetary provision the ILF is involved with.)

2. Linked series of national level interviews - the Consultants will undertake a small number of high level interviews with those responsible for making policy and putting it into effect. These will be completed by early October 2006. This programme will include Department of Health officials, those involved with Individualised Budgets, as well as In Control work as well as government officials within the Office for Disability Issues, DWP and Treasury.

3. Programme of consultation events with ILF users - five major consultation meetings with people who make personal use of ILF support are planned. These will take place over the summer as follows. These will be an opportunity for people to share their experiences of using the ILF. To find out more about these meetings and how to book your place click here .

You are still able to email your comments about the ILF Review to Sharon Foster-King of the DWP or by writing to her at: ILF Review, 6th Floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT. The deadline for comments is 30 September 2006.